Plum Crazy

A 1,200hp Cummins-powered ’29 Plymouth.

- Steve Temple

The vehicle of choice for most Diesel World readers is a pickup with a really powerful diesel engine. And that was initially the plan for a client (who prefers to remain nameless) of ACR’s Andrew Faris. On the other hand, Faris’s client has three kids and likes his Sunday drives. So a four-door sedan made more sense from a comfort standpoint—but he couldn’t let go of his diesel obsession. Why not build on the best of both worlds, a stylish street rod with a 1,200hp Cummins? Sounds plum crazy, and the result is this insane ’29 Plymouth.

The project went through other changes midstream, as the original concept called for a rat rod in bare metal. “I wanted a modern industrial theme to the car using metal and wood detail pieces,” Faris recalls. Obviously the treatment went bonkers from there, as the trim and finish on this street rod is not merely industrial, but maniacal in quality.

How did it go off the rails? Faris started out sensibly enough, by selecting the tire sizes: Pirelli PZero 325/30, 19 inches in the front and 21 in the rear. Then he set the original tin body on the floor and moved the tires around until they looked right.

With the wheelbase sorted out, “I ordered a differential and rear clip from Chris Alston Chassis works,” Faris relates. “And had Pete & Jake’s build me a drop-tube axle.” He then built the 2x4-inch square-tube perimeter frame on his shop table, and installed a four-link rear end and Watts link with Air Spring bags and Bilstein shocks. At the front, the drop axle rides on Posies springs and a Pinto box actuates the steering system. The brake assemblies are 4-piston Wilwoods with Lincoln drum covers and Aeroquip lines.

ENGINE WORK